A couple weeks ago we had Jen Essex on the blog talking about cake/desserts (YUM-you can check that out here), but this week we have a different Jenn guest writing on another one of my favorite things: wine!
Jenn Carruthers is a sommelier and owner of JC Select Wines, a company she built to help expose clients to the wines that she personally enjoys, and loves sharing with friends and family. It also allows her to educate about wines that can both fit your lifestyle and elevate your next event.
Here are her professional recommendations on the best wines for your wedding and the food to pair it with:
Let’s talk bubbly
Champagne goes with everything, plus they’re lower in alcohol and won’t stain clothing like reds. Here are her 3 go-to’s:
Charles Heidsieck - NV Champagne Brut Reserve
Fun fact: it was the Champagne served on the Titanic
Thanks to 40% of reserve wines, the blend offers a complex, elegant, voluptuous nose with a touch of freshly baked brioche, rich toasted notes and sun-drenched fruits - mango, apricot and mirabelle plum - accented by dried fruits, pistachio and almond. On the palate the texture is reminiscent of a crisp layer of nougatine on a velvety cream pastry, filled with plump red plums and ripe cherries. The selection of reserve wines gives the wine lushness. The finish unveils notes of praline and vanilla.
La Caravelle, Cuvée Nina, Champagne, France
This goes very well with seafood or fried chicken
Paying homage to legendary NYC French fine dining restaurant La Caravelle, which Rita and André Jammet owned. La Caravelle, hand chosen by Rita and André, reflects the classic roots and contemporary sensibility of the brand. It's an elegant expression of Champagne. Talk about the perfect summertime pairing. La Caravelle is an elegant expression of Champagne. Think warm citrus, white flowers, perfectly buttered brioche and the most refreshing white peach.
The Naveran Brut Vintage Reserva, Cava, Spain
Cava = Spain’s answer to Champagne
This grower Cava is made from 100% estate grown, organically farmed fruit with extended lees aging far beyond the minimum requirements for the Cava DO. Made by the Naveran family since 1901. This winery has a tradition of crafting Cavas that are superb expressions of clean, bright, citrus-inflected aromas and flavors with beautiful texture and weight from the extended lees contact, designed to stand up among the great sparkling wines of the world.
refreshing whites
Personally, I always associate white with seafood, but there are SO many other options! Here’s a couple:
Mottura GRECHETTO di Civitella d'Agliano, Latour a Civitella, IT
Great with pasta dishes (like Pâtes a La Carbonara), chicken, seafood (especially salmon), salads (Caccio e Pepe is a famous pairing) and Alfredo
Really versatile and I'd almost describe it as halfway between a Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay in terms of pleasing those from each "side of the aisle" (pun intended). It’s really quite a brilliant wine and made by an incredibly talented producer. The Sergio Mottura Latour a Civitella is a pure expression of Grechetto from Lazio's Civitella d'Agliano IGT appellation near the Umbria border. The best grapes from five Grechetto vineyards of the "Poggio della Costa" clone, planted in different parcels, are used to make this outstanding dry white wine. This wine benefits from some brief time in oak to build texture and aromatic intensity, with preserved lemon and fresh apricot.
Stolpman Vineyards Roussanne, Ballard Canyon, CA
A red lovers white wine. Pairs with everything listed above but also more robust meals like pork, steak, and prime rib
Meet the opulent and intriguing Roussanne. The varietal is extremely slow to grow and mature through the season and the conditions at Stolpman combine to allow for even, albeit late, ripening. It's also a pain in the butt to grow! La Cuadrilla takes every possible effort in the vineyard to optimize the Roussanne fruit. Most notably, in late July the leaves get pulled away from the fruit to allow direct sun penetration. A month prior to forecasted harvest, every grape cluster is rotated 180 degrees to facilitate an even sun-tan. Aromas of Asian pear and honeysuckle sprinkled with citrus tell the tale of a rich, indulgent Roussanne ready to coat the palette in full-bodied splendor. On the nose, one can almost smell the rich texture and the mouthfeel doesn’t disappoint. While opulence carries the day, complimentary notes of lychee, lemongrass, and jasmine bring a more delicate prettiness. Aromas of white flower give further lift while golden hay – the only evidence of toasty oak barrels – brings the wine to a long, luxurious finish.
getting into color
When it comes to reds, consider a blend if you’re only going to offer one red wine. Otherwise Jenn recommends having a Pinot Noir and a Cabernet. Here are all the options:
Stolpman Vineyards - La Cuadrilla
A very well rounded option and will go with any food you’re in the mood for!
Blend breakdown: 70% Syrah - 15% Sangiovese - 15% Grenache. La Cuadrilla is a special wine. “La Cuadrilla” or “the Crew” is named such because it belongs to the crew. The vineyard crew (all of whom are full-time/ year-round workers with benefits) are responsible for creating this wine. Even better: ALL PROFITS from the sales of La Cuadrilla go completely back to Ruben's full-time/year-round crew. Once a year, the Stolpmans host a “Cuadrilla Party” where the crew members are each given a cheque sharing the proceeds from this wine by seniority. It’s truly amazing and I wish it was happening everywhere. The wine also happens to be delicious! It’s a juicy, everyday, any occasion kind of wine. The 2018 vintage was fantastic overall and this wine is no exception. Its base of Syrah gives it deep red fruit, making it both expressive and bold. The blending keeps it fresh and fun, perfect for any day that ends with "Y”. A crowd pleaser for sure.
Disciples Red, Napa Valley
Particularly amazing with BBQ. ribs, steak, venison, lamb... It's like a "red blend" upgrade
The breakdown: 49% Zinfandel, 19% Petite Sirah, 10% Charbono, 9% Grenache, 7% Syrah, 6% Merlot. The backbone of the Disciples Red Wine comes from the Morisoli Vineyard in Rutherford and the Tofanelli Vineyard in Calistoga. The Morisoli's have been farming their plot of land for 5 generations, dating back to the 1890's. The Tofanelli's have been farming their ranch since 1929 and grow some of Napa's most coveted field blend varietals. Predominantly Zinfandel, this wine jumps out of the glass with blackberry coulis, juniper and toast. Fantastic acidity carries the wine through to a satisfyingly long, lingering finish.
West Pole Pinot Noir by Bohème Wines, Sonoma Coast, CA
Goes with cheese and vegetarian (classic pairing = mushrooms) dishes, poultry, lamb and beef, salmon, and hearty salads
Twenty-nine Pinot Noir barrels from the Bohème single-vineyard program were selected for the 2018 vintage of West Pole Pinot Noir. Each component was estate-grown (including six Pinot Noir selections averaging 30% whole cluster fermentation) and aged 22 months in 10% new French Oak barrels. Notes: Starlike clarity with rosewood-mulberry hue. Slow-fired Burgundy toast aroma with black and red fruits: cranberry, huckleberry, hibiscus and Kirsch cherry. Dark fruits impress the palate in hand with bergamot, sandalwood, clove, roasted chestnut and elderflower. Fine and abundant tannins follow—the wine is structured and versatile.
Obsidian Ridge Cabernet Sauvignon, Mayacamas Range Napa Valley
Pairs well with anything in the meat category, especially red meat
You might have heard of Mayacamas Range. That ridge is where this wine comes from. The high elevation provides for a great balance of grapes ranging in variety and ripeness. Really smooth, dark fruit, really well made and I just can't express how great this wine is for the price ($35). It's such a great go-to Cab.
At the end of the day this is Jenn’s go-to piece of advice for wine & food:
“Pair the wine you want with the food you like”
Want to work with Jenn for your wedding? Here’s a bit of what she can do for you:
Tasting ahead of time to learn the stories of each unique wine
If she’s curating the wine and not attending the wedding as your sommelier, she will provide PDFs for display explaining the wine choices and story of the wines chosen
She also has a wine membership! (hello wedding gift)
Check these out and more on her website www.jcselectwines.com and connect on Instagram @jcselectwines.
Jenn Carruthers, Author
Jenn is a professional sommelier based in California that aims to bridge a gap between common wines and those special bottles. While wine is her hobby as well as her job, she also enjoys surfing and visiting her hometown of Toronto, Canada
